Choices for Change delivers opportunities to people to improve confidence, self-esteem and learn new skills.

Now 13 participants in Choices for Change have completed their 10-week course and celebrated their success at the Reidvale Centre in Dennistoun – part of Reidvale Housing Association.

Jointly delivered with Glasgow Kelvin College, Thenue secured £227,000 last summer to fund the project and it reinforces the strong working relationship Thenue has with the College.

The lottery-funded project has built on the success of Thenue’s award-winning Learning Works initiative which helped hundreds of long-term unemployed people obtain new skills to equip them for work or further learning opportunities.

Thenue has taken the best learning opportunities from Learning Works, such as computer skills and personal development and added new activities focused on health and wellbeing, including health talks, mindfulness, relaxation sessions, creative writing, drawing sessions, arts and drama sessions.

Participants even visited the Emirates Arena in Glasgow’s East End for cycling lessons, access to the Velodrome and a gym tour.

Ruth Adam, community regeneration manager at Thenue, said: “Choices for Change is yet another example of the work Thenue is doing to help our communities – delivering real benefits at grass roots level and improving people’s lives.

“We congratulate the participants of course three and thank them for their enthusiasm shown during the 10 weeks. We also want to thank Glasgow Kelvin College who are our partners in delivering this important community initiative.”

Since completing the course, participants have applied to College, have started other community courses, begun work or volunteering and some are returning to support future Choices for Change participants as ‘peer mentors’.

One of the 13 participants is Yvonne, aged 58, who said: “I am not going back to a situation where I was feeling depressed and staying at home. This course has got me out and learning new things, and I just want it to keep happening.”